Question : COAL PRODUCTION

(a) whether the Government proposes to introduce innovative and modern technologies to improve productivity of coal in the various coal companies of Coal India Ltd. including Mahanadi Coalfield Limited;

(b) If so, the details thereof and the steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard;

(c) whether the Government has made any assessment/survey to identify the new technologies for exploration and production of coal;

(d) If so, the details thereof;

(e) the extent to which the production of coal will be increased by introducing the said technologies;

(f) whether the Government proposes to bring in foreign collaboration for new technologies both in underground and opencast mines for efficient management in the coal industry;

(g) if so, the details thereof and the present status thereof along with the names of the countries identified for purpose; and

(h) he benefits that is likely to be derived out by this collaboration?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL (SHRI PRATIK PRAKASHBAPU PATIL)

(a) & (b) : Yes, Sir. It is the endeavour of Coal India Ltd. (CIL) to introduce innovative and modern technologies to improve productivity in various subsidiary companies including Mahanadi Coalfield Ltd. (MCL). At the planning stage of Underground Mines based on the techno-economic feasibility, priority is given to adopt Powered Support Long-Wall (PSLW) Technology or Continuous Miner (CMs) Technology or other appropriate technologies like Blasting Gallery Technology with remote controlled Load Haul Dumpers (LHDs), Highwall Technology etc. Currently, eight numbers of Continuous Miner Machines are operational in different subsidiaries of CIL. One Highwall Technology Project is operational in South Eastern Coalfields Ltd. Further, CIL has drawn an action plan for technology upgradation in the 12th Plan, as per which seven longwall technology projects and twenty one continuous miner technology projects are envisaged which includes four continuous miner projects in MCL. Tenders of two Longwall Projects, one each in Eastern Coalfields Ltd. and Bharat Coking Coal Ltd. have been finalized recently.

In case of Opencast Mines, different technologies namely, Shovel-dumper combination, dragline operation, surface miner operations, crushing and conveying technology etc. have already been adopted. Adoption of higher capacity heavy earth moving machinery (dumpers, shovels, dozers, draglines, drill machines, surface miners) is a continuous process.

(c) & (d) : Yes, Sir. New technologies for exploration using geo-physical seismic surveys and remote sensing techniques, including 2D and 3 D high resolution seismic surveys have already been adopted for coal exploration. Further, high capacity hydro-static drills have been procured by CMPDIL for higher rate of drilling and better productivity. For production of coal, the envisaged technology adoption is furnished in reply to part (a) and (b) of the question above.

(e) : Technology upgradation is a continuous process. With the help of the various technologies adopted in the mines of CIL, the coal production is envisaged to increase from the level of about 436 Million Tonnes achieved in 2011-12, the terminal year of the 11th Five Year Plan to 615 Million Tonnes in 2016-17, the terminal year of the 12th Five Year Plan.

(f) & (g): Yes, Sir. Technology adoption is through Global tendering process for foreign collaboration.

(h) : Since indigenous manufacturing facilities for mining equipment are limited, the global tendering process would provide access to best technology and best practices available in the world.